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Construction and building work is by its very nature a high-risk occupation. Persons involved in this sector have to work in arduous conditions, often exposed to the elements, in a constantly changing workplace, which is taking form and shape as a result of their activities.

Construction Approved Code of Practice

On the 11th July 1996, the Code of Practice entitled, 'The Organisation and Management of Health and Safety in Construction', was approved. This Code was written in response to the construction industries request for clarification of the duties required of them by the Health and Safety at Work (General) (Guernsey) Ordinance, 1987.

In common with the UK Construction, Design and Management Regulations, the Code recognises that the client, architect, principal contractor and his sub-contractors, all have a part to play in ensuring the safety of a development.

Sound risk assessment and safety planning is the key to managing this process.

An example of subjects covered by the Approved Code of Practice include asbestos, confined spaces, demolition, excavation and steel erection

There are a total of twenty eight specific standards included to cover most construction activities.

Notification of Project

You must notify all projects covered by the approved Code of Practice entitled: The Organisation and Management of Health and Safety in Construction, Part I Section 3. The Principal Contractor is required to give the Health & Safety Executive 14 days' notice of all construction works on projects

a. Where the number of persons working on site (whether it be employees, subcontractors or self- employed contractors) exceeds 5 and the duration of the contract is more than 30 days.

b. If the work involves demolition or dismantling of a structure regardless of duration or numbers on site.

c. Where work is of short duration but is expected to involve at least 500 man-days of input.

The form should be completed and sent to the HSE office covering the site where construction / demolition work is to take place. You should send it as soon as possible after the safety co-ordinator is appointed to the project.

Passport to Safety

It is not yet a legal requirement for construction workers to be 'ticketed' to work in Guernsey. They do however have to be able to prove their competency to their employer.

The aim is for the Passport to Safety (Guernsey's equivalent to CSCS) ticket to become a legal requirement in the future.

Likewise, Supervisors do not have to hold 'tickets' but prove that they are competent to do the job, either through experience or other qualification, and for their employer to be confident that they can undertake the role.

Protecting the public

You must ensure that construction work does not put other people at risk, including other contractors, neighbouring businesses and the public.

All construction sites require:

Measures to manage access across defined boundaries; and

Steps to exclude unauthorised people.

While the numbers of children being killed or injured on construction sites has reduced, there is no room for complacency. Each year in the UK, two or three children die after gaining access to building sites, and many more are injured.